New Delhi, Oct 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for a future-ready education system that prepares children for life beyond examinations by equipping them with critical thinking, digital literacy, adaptability and a strong sense of responsibility.
Addressing the School Leader of the Year 2026 Summit & Awards in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said education must go beyond academic performance to prepare students to navigate emerging challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
The summit brought together educators, school principals and institutional heads to recognise excellence, innovation and leadership in K-12 education.
Emphasising the role of school leaders in nation-building, Omar Abdullah said principals and headteachers do much more than administer schools, as they shape the learning environment, values, aspirations and future of young minds. Strong leadership, he said, was essential to building safe, inclusive, innovative and student-centric educational institutions.
The Chief Minister stressed that education must focus on the holistic development of every child, nurturing creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving abilities and digital competence alongside academic achievement.
Highlighting the opportunities offered by technology and artificial intelligence (AI), he called for their responsible adoption to improve learning outcomes, personalise education and support teachers. He emphasised that technology should complement, rather than replace, the human element of teaching and learning.
Omar Abdullah also underscored the need for continuous professional development of teachers and school leaders, saying exposure to innovative teaching methods, the exchange of best practices and opportunities for collaboration were essential to strengthening educational institutions.
Calling for an inclusive approach to educational excellence, the Chief Minister said quality education must reach children in rural, remote and underserved areas as well as those in urban centres.
He emphasised that governments, educators, educational institutions, parents and communities must work collectively to address the diverse academic, social and developmental needs of children.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration among educational institutions in India and abroad to promote innovation, share successful practices and improve the overall quality of education.
He observed that recognising exemplary school leadership helps foster a culture of excellence by encouraging institutions to learn from successful models and adapt them to their respective contexts.
On the occasion, Omar Abdullah felicitated the heads of several educational institutions in recognition of their contributions.
Among those present were Achyuta Samanta of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology; Dalip Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Association of Indian Principals (AIP); Kashish Jhamb, CTO of AIP and CEO of City Innovates; and Rajesh Pasari, Managing Director of Macmillan Education India.
Chancellors and senior officials from Indian and international universities, representatives of Austrade, school founders, directors, principals and heads of educational institutions from across the country also attended the summit.
